A-wing

The A-wing is a fictional space fighter from the Star Wars universe.

It is used by the Rebel Alliance. It is the fastest, smallest and most maneuverable ship of the Rebellion. In the trilogy, it is only seen at the Battle of Endor, where an A-wing crashes into the bridge of the Imperial Super-Destroyer Executor, causing it to crash into the Death Star.

The A-wing has a very limited shield system, and relies on its high linear acceleration and high maneuverability to avoid being destroyed. The fighter was designed by Alliance General Jan Dodonna, and engineer Wales Blissex. Its predecessor was the R-22 Spearhead. It was initially designed as a squadron interceptor, using its extraordinary acceleration to stop enemy fighters before they could reach vulnerable targets. However, before long it was used as a fast-attack fighter, capable of damaging its targets before they could react, then fleeing before any kind of defense could be organized.

In addition, a devastating attack known as the A-Wing Slash was developed to reduce the Empire's ships to rubble. A group of X-wings close in on an Imperial convoy, while the A-Wings remain in hiding. The X-wings then depart, pitting the (relatively) slow TIE fighters against the ultra-fast A-wings, which fire concussion missiles at the convoy before taking off.

Some A-wing variants have laser cannons modified in a way that they can pivot, greatly improving their firing range. Some of these designs have even achieved a 360º turn, causing a nasty surprise to rival ships.

In the X-Wing computer video game series, the A-wing is the rebel fighter of choice for duels between fighters. Its high speed, maneuverability, and ability to launch concussion missiles make it more of a challenge to TIE Fighters and TIE Interceptors, and it is also the only Rebel ship capable of taking on the TIE Advanced on equal terms.